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MEETING MINUTES
Printer Friendly Minutes
Council Agendas
City Council
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MONDAY, APRIL 08, 2013
6:30 pm
PRESENT: Councilmembers Martinez, G. Gonzalez Jr. and Ortiz
OTHERS: Lara, Watson, Chief Marquez, Zacarias, Dominguez, Collins and Student Representative Reynaga
ABSENT: R. Gonzales Jr. and Mendoza
FLAG SALUTE
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Jose Soto, 433 N. Walnut, Woodlake – Mr. Soto stated he was there to speak on the property at 120 N. Valencia. He stated City Administrator Lara and Chief Marquez had a meeting regarding this property and had created a discrepancy list and he wanted a copy of the list so he would be aware of what problems the property had. City Administrator Lara stated he has met with the property owner and has discussed with them the concerns regarding the property. He stated to Mr. Soto that he cannot discuss this matter with him because he is not the property owner. Councilmember G. Gonzalez Jr. asked the location of the property. City Administrator Lara stated the one West of Super Taco. Mr. Soto stated he is concerned because there is a deadline involved. Councilmember Ortiz advised Mr. Soto to talk to property owner to resolve the issues.
Carolyn Robinson, 529 S. Valencia, Woodlake – Ms. Robinson stated there is a Senior Event at Mooney’s Grove Park on May 17, 2013 from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. She asked Council if the City would be able to provide transportation for our local Seniors who would like to attend. Council asked staff to research, and if possible notify Ms. Robinson.
Armida Martinez, 648 N. Acacia, Woodlake – Mrs. Martinez reported there is a deep dip in the road on Sierra St., in front of St. Clements Church. She stated many parents have expressed their concern to her.
IV. CONSENT CALENDAR –ACTION AND INFORMATION ITEMS
Request Approval of the Consent Calendar Action Items (IV. A-C)
A. Action: Approval of Minutes of the regular meeting held on March 25, 2013
B. Action: Approval of Warrants
C. Action: Adoption of Resolution: Approval of March 2013 Monthly Report of Investments.
ON A MOTION BY MARTINEZ, SECOND BY G. GONZALEZ JR. IT WAS VOTED TO APPROVE ITEM IV. B AND ITEM IV.C APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY. VICE-MAYOR ORTIZ ASKED STAFF TO BRING ITEM IV.A BACK AT THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING DUE TO MARTINEZ AND G. GONZALEZ JR. ABSTAINING FROM THE APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES.
V. ACTION/DISCUSSION ITEMS
A. Information: Draft of City of Woodlake Fiscal Year 2013/2014 Budget. City Administrator Lara stated the draft budget has been submitted to Council for review and also is available to any member of the public who requests it. He stated the purpose of the budgeting process is to propose necessary expenditures and the means of funding them. The current budget will be in place from January 1, 2013 to June 30, 2014. He sated the City currently has two funds that are a continued going concern: General Fund and the Airport Fund. Both of those funds have operated with a negative fund balance for at least twelve consecutive months. He stated in order to increase revenues within the Airport Fund, airport fees have been increased and this will allow the Airport Fund to move in a positive direction. He stated in an attempt to reduce the negative balance in the General Fund, staff has cut back at multiple levels. All staff positions received a salary reclassification; the Police Department was reduced from sixteen staff members to eleven. The number of take home vehicles was limited, cell phones were removed for all non-supervisory staff, dispatch services were contracted with the County of Tulare for 24/7 service, health insurance provider was switched and employees now pay their share of their retirement. He stated that while these cut-backs have helped the City and have balanced revenues and expenditures for the current fiscal year, we still need to keep operating costs down and look at any ideas for revenue. He stated there is a Park Grant that was disallowed and we are responsible for repayment. Also the City allowed a loan to the Cemetery and they have not repaid the loan.
B. Action: Adoption of Resolution: Approval of General Plan Amendment 2012-01.
Action: Introduction of Ordinance No. 585: Amending Ordinance No. 287, the Woodlake Zoning Ordinance, Reclassifying Land in Woodlake from the RSC (Resource, Conservation and School) to the ML (Light Manufacturing) District. City Planner Collins stated the Planning Commission held a public hearing on the General Plan Amendment at their February 20, 2013 meeting. The Commission voted 3-0 to recommend approval of the General Plan Amendment 12-01 to the Woodlake City Council.
PUBLIC HEARING OPENED 6:52 PM
Armida Martinez, 648 N. Acacia, Woodlake – Mrs. Martinez asked if this change would bring in revenue for the City. City Planner Collins stated this is simply a rezoning.
PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED 6:54 PM
ON A MOTION BY MARTINEZ, SECOND BY G. GONZALEZ JR., IT WAS VOTED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION AND APPROVE THE GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT 2012-01. APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY.
ON A MOTION BY G. GONZALEZ JR., SECOND BY MARTINEZ IT WAS VOTED TO INTRODUCE ORDINANCE NO. 585 AND WAIVE READING. APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY.
C. Information: Introduction of Ordinance No. 586: Reclassifying 3.309 Acres from the CS (Service Commercial) to the PO (Professional Office) District. City Planner Collins stated the Planning Commission held a public hearing on this zone change matter at their December 19, 2012 meeting. He stated the applicant’s representative spoke in favor of the project. There were no speakers that voiced opposition to the proposed zone change. The Commission voted 3-0 to approve the zone change on Wutchumna’s property from the CS to the PO zone district. He stated this zone change allows for business or commercial building.
PUBLIC HEARING OPENED 7:00 PM
PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED 7:01 PM
ON A MOTION BY MARTINEZ, SECOND BY G. GONZALEZ JR., IT WAS VOTED TO INTRODUCE ORDINANCE NO. 586 AND WAIVE READING. APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY.
VI. OTHER BUSINESS
A. Information: Items from Staff
City Planner Collins – reported Dollar General has broken ground and is now waiting for approval from Caltrans. The environmental study for the Transit Center is complete. Twilight Park may be looking into adding more dorms, but this will first have to go before the Planning Commission.
Public Works Superintendent Dominguez – reported the staff at the WWTP will be participating in some training next week. We are waiting to receive the design plans from Caltrans for the Roundabout project. He also stated the Spring Clean Up Week is April 18th, 19th and 20th. Councilmember Ortiz asked how we have advertised this event. City Clerk Zacarias stated it has been printed on their water bills, we have placed it on the web and we have also posted flyers in the lobby.
Student Representative Diana Reynaga – reported there will be CST testing April 23rd, 25th, 30th and May 1st and 2nd. There will be a rally on Friday. On Wednesday there will be a speaker addressing the Spring Athletes. The speaker will focus on good sportsmanship and other good athletic qualities. Senior Exit Interviews took place last Friday and will be held again this Friday. She also reported there are only 43 days left of school!
City Clerk Zacarias – reported Kiwanis will be hosting their Annual Walk for Hunger. There will be a 5 K run around Bravo Lake or a 2 K walk through the beautiful Botanical Garden. The cost is $25.00 per person or $50.00 per family and all proceeds will go to the Woodlake Food Pantry. There will also be a pancake breakfast for all participants.
City Administrator Lara – thanked City Planner Collins and staff from Quad for all their hard work in all the Downtown Improvement projects. The Dollar General has given August 4, 2013 as their projected completion date. He also thanked Chief Marquez and Lt. Aguayo for their continued flexibility in their work schedules. They have both had to cover various shifts and continue to have a great, positive attitude.
B. Information: Items from Council Members
Councilmember G. Gonzalez Jr. – reported he has had members of the community tell him they are happy with our Police Department. He stated the officers have really formed a great relationship with everyone. Keep up the good work. He also stated the bus shelters around town look great. He asked if staff could make contact with Chamber of Commerce and ask them if they could bring in and introduce a new business when they come to town. Councilmember Ortiz stated she would be attending a Chamber meeting tomorrow and she will share this request with them. He also reported CalRipken opens this Saturday at 9:00 am and that the kids will be selling Rawhide tickets as a fundraiser.
Councilmember Martinez – asked if the Downtown Improvements scheduled for June 2013 would interfere with the Chamber’s Annual Car Show. City Clerk Zacarias stated the Chambers will not be hosting their Annual Car Show this year. He also asked if it would be possible to get a bus shelter on the South side of town. City Administrator Lara stated staff is currently researching the possibility of placing one near City Yard and the other in front of the Bravo Village Apartments.
Councilmember Ortiz – thanked Chief Marquez for working weekends and for all the positive changes with the Police Department. She stated the community has been happy with our police officers and the community feels safe. She also reported on the upcoming League of California Cities meeting which will be hosted by the City of Woodlake. City Clerk Zacarias stated the meeting will be held at the Woodlake Veterans Hall on April 18, 2013. Social hour starts at 5:30 and dinner at 6:30. The cost is $25.00 per person.
C. Request from Council Members for Future Agenda Items
MOVED TO CLOSED SESSION AT 7:20 PM
VII. CLOSED SESSION
CONFERENCE WTH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9
(2 Cases)
NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC
As provided in the Ralph M. Brown Act, Government Code sections 54950 et seq., the Governing Board may meet in closed session with members of its staff and its attorneys. These sessions are not open to the public and may not be attended by members of the public. The matters the Council will meet on in closed session are identified below or are those matters appropriately identified in open session as requiring immediate attention and arising after the posting of the agenda. Any public reports of action taken in the closed session will be made in accordance with Government Code sections 54957.1
MOVED TO OPEN SESSION AT 7:30 PM
MEETING RECONVENED AT 7:30 PM
CITY ATTORNEY WATSON STATED THERE WAS NO REPORTABLE INTEREST.
VIII. ADJOURN
The next scheduled City Council meeting will be held on Monday, April 22, 2013 at 6:30 p.m. at City Council Chambers located at 350 North Valencia Boulevard, Woodlake, CA 93286.
City Council:
Rudy Mendoza - Mayor
Frances Ortiz - Vice Mayor
Raul Gonzales Jr. - Councilmember
Greg Gonzalez Jr. - Councilmember
Jose L. Martinez - Councilmember
Meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Irene Zacarias
City Clerk
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MEETING MINUTES HISTORY |
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Monday, April 08, 2013
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Monday, March 25, 2013
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Monday, March 11, 2013
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Monday, January 28, 2013
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Monday, January 14, 2013
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Monday, December 10, 2012
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